The experiments with Edmond's demonic essence pushed Tino to the limit as he absorbed more and more of the addicting substance.
His power grew with each bit absorbed and with it the hunger that plagued his body.
It was like eating more and more without the satisfying feeling of being full.
The only thing to remember was to not over consume lest he burst.
After a certain point, the vestiges of the demon showed to be more prevalent than before.
Tino's teeth were like daggers and even his pitch-black nails resembled demonic claws.
One glaring difference was a small notch on his forehead that was actually the first signs of a horn growing from his skull.
The similarities between Tino and Edmond grew ever so slightly, but ultimately, he was still a bona fide human.
"Looks like this is all you can handle for now, but once Null arrives, he will perform something akin to a spiritual rebirth that will completely change you from the inside out."
"Sounds fun," Tino said dryly, clearly still at odds with the idea of interacting with Null.
Noticing the blatant disrespect, a water bullet escaped Edmond's head and smacked straight into Tino's.
"What the heck?!"
Edmond resigned himself to a soft chuckle before speaking, "Life happens. Things don't always go the way you intend. Don't dwell on the past if it's going to affect your future in ways you can't control."
"I know, but I just can't accept that everything I did— everything I worked hard to achieve— was all brought to an end like that. My crew, my sister, and I were just given the short end of the stick because of one person's loss of control."
"And yet here you are. Happy family, growing in strength, and a future so bright you can't seem to focus on what's ahead. You don't have to shy away from the light just because you're familiar with the darkness."
The words seemed to spark a change within Tino as he finally seemed to accept his fate.
What happened happened. No one told him to get close with Null.
It was his own fault for reaching out and getting to know him without getting the whole picture that Null's circumstances entailed.
And it was like they said. Null wasn't in control of his actions because Void took over.
If there was anyone to blame it would be him.
"Let's go for another summon. I'm ready to see if I'll be able to absorb their essence without any issue."
The two went down into the secret room to check on the ladies.
"How goes the process of choosing the next summon," Edmond asked upon seeing the two buried in books.
Estoria looked up while Angie continued flipping through the pages of her book, "We found a promising choice after debating between the beings found in the summoning book that the children first used."
"What is it, Mom? Please tell me it's something good."
"It's a slime," Angie spoke bluntly without even looking up from her book.
"Slime? Why does that sound a bit...," Tino was at a loss for words.
"A bit weird," Angie finished his sentence for him," Well, it's not like we have many more beings to summon. This is for your own safety until we're sure no potential dangers arise due to your method of stealing lifeforces."
"Did you forget about the literal Devil standing next to me? Why would I need to be scared of a... I don't know... some kind of slime king if I have him to protect me?"
Angie herself was at a loss for words after the glaringly obvious statement.
Estoria then took the lead as she asked worriedly, "Would you really be willing to help us out to that extent?"
Edmond looked at the single mother who clearly faced her own share of hardships now faced with assistance that would change her way of life.
"Ever since I found out you were the ones bound to Null same as me, we became intertwined in all ways fate could allow. I will be your protector and your compatriot through thick and thin."
"Really? Thank goodness! We'll be in your care then."
'Don't you think you should give the ladies some of your spirit water, Ego?'
'Hmm? I'll be honest the idea hadn't crossed my mind.'
'Oh, come on! No need to be stingy with the original members of the crew.'
'I guess you're right. Just give them a touch and I'll send some over.'
Edmond smiled at the compliance as he spoke to Estoria, "Would you be so kind as to take my hand?"
Not knowing the reason behind the action, Estoria was stunned for a moment.
"O-of course."
When she did take his hand, a cool sensation spread throughout her body as the spirit water worked its magic.
"You too, Angie. I promise I won't bite."
Angie noticed the visible changes that occurred with the spirit water's introduction and took it as a sign to strengthen herself like Tino was.
"Of course!"
After the two took some time to adjust to the new sensation of absorbing the spirit water, Tino began working on another summoning circle.
He was also told the details about slimes from their physical appearance to their attributes and personalities.
"Are we still dead set on summoning a slime," he huffed, "I don't understand why we can't summon say an undead or a golem. Slimes seem too weak in comparison."
The other beings were tossed around in their discussions now that they added in the protection of Edmond, but they still wanted to be on the safe side since Tino was still new to the practice.
"Just try it and see what happens," Angie was tired of hearing him whine.
"Fine. Let's get this over with."
In preparation for the summoning ritual, Tino had already taken his shirt off and drawn the transference circle on himself so that things went by quickly.
He was not sure what gains he would reap after absorbing the essence of a slime, but he was about to find out.
And so, he and Angie began chanting.
Almost immediately, a portal opened up and from it, a gelatinous substance slowly seeped its way through.
Before it could even gain its bearings, Tino shoved his bloody palm onto the slime in order to begin his technique.
Very quickly, the slime was reduced to a puddle and Tino was surprised to see what he had gained: softer skin.
That was it.
At least that was all he could glean in the little time there was even knowing what a slime was.
There were no detailed descriptions on each of the beings that could be summoned either because it was just a brief introduction to them or there was simply no one who figured out a way to communicate with the summoned creatures about what exactly they could do.
"I could try meeting up with a more knowledgeable witch," Estoria mentioned after seeing Tino's disappointment, "They could tell us more about summoning and might even have more books on the subject."
Edmond was the first to speak up, "Are you sure it will be safe. I know that you said witches worship beings like me, but there was also the fact that other humans find your kind to be wicked and sinister."
Angie piped up, "Yeah! And there's also the fact that you haven't been able to do much since we were born besides make and sell tonics. How long has it been since you even been in contact with other witches?"
"You don't have to worry about that. We witches have been around long enough to have made designated signals and codes for other witches to be aware of each other no matter the circumstances. It's just a matter of finding them and they'll lead me to my fellow people."
"Are you sure, Mommy? What if we just make ourselves known? Edmond has already allowed us to join him and his crew after all. There's no need to hide with him around."
Estoria sighed and got down to Tino's eye level, "Listen, son. Us witches have taken it upon ourselves to not mingle with closeminded people. We can do miraculous things, but that doesn't mean we take advantage of others because of that."
"Even when they would kill you if they found out," Tino refused to understand her side of things.
"Nobody forces us to practice witchcraft. We could all simply live normal lives devoid of all things unnatural. It's the choice— the conscious choice to dismiss the sense of normality— that decides the way our lives play out."
Her words forced Tino into understanding that things existed for a reason. Not everyone would choose to practice witchcraft just because they could and they would most certainly find the more dangerous aspects of the art threatening to their own way of life.
"I'll be fine on my own. I promise," Estoria patted Tino on the head.
This was her way of helping out and she did not want anyone to stop her from doing so.